Five prospects ready to make a splash
Everyone wants to know who will be the next big impact prospect to hit the big leagues. It's been a banner year already, with Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Blake Swihart, Austin Hedges and, most recently, Noah Syndergaard, all coming from the top half of the Top 100 Prospects List to make their Major League debuts. And it's only May!
The player generating the most buzz, the one most around baseball would like to see arrive next, is pretty obvious: Carlos Correa of the Astros. Houston has played surprising well while riding a youth movement, its starting shortstop is out until the All-Star break, and Correa, the Astros' top prospect, is trying his best to perform his way into the plan. After lighting up Double-A Corpus Christi, the former No. 1 overall pick is now getting his feet under him at Triple-A Fresno, that proverbial phone call away.
Correa is the obvious No. 1 on a list of "Which prospects could impact the big leagues next?" Who are the next four to round out a top five list? Let's take a look.
2. Corey Seager, Dodgers
Seager was on the Correa path before Correa was. He tore up the Texas League, to the tune of a .375/.407/.675 line in 20 games at Double-A Tulsa, then got bumped up to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The No. 7 overall prospect is finding his way there, and it's just a matter of time until he's hit his way into the conversation in Los Angeles, either to step in for Jimmy Rollins at short or to play third when Alex Guerrero cools off.
3. Francisco Lindor, Indians
Like this is a surprise. He absolutely dazzled this spring, and most felt it was just a matter of time. Lindor's bat has been a bit up and down, though he's riding a six-game hitting streak and his defensive ability is well known. Meanwhile, Jose Ramirez is hitting .174 in Cleveland. The American League Central is tight, with the Indians underperforming. Who doesn't think Lindor, the No. 4 prospect, could provide a lift?
4. Steven Matz, Mets
Sure, Syndergaard created a lot of buzz, and rightfully so. But Matz has been equally effective at Triple-A Las Vegas, putting up ridiculous numbers even with his home starts at Vegas' Cashman Field and road starts in hitter-friendly environments like Reno and Albuquerque. The No. 65 prospect leads the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts and is third in ERA. If another young arm is needed in New York, Matz has put himself in position to get the call.
5. Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox
Rodriguez's name has come up lately as the need for starting pitching in Boston has become glaringly apparent. The lefty's last two starts have been his poorest in Triple-A, but the No. 86 prospect still has been the most effective starter in Pawtucket, and he looks like the best option to get a shot at helping out in the big leagues. Rodriguez's 34-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio is a big reason why.